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ASCO: OK to Shorten Androgen Blockade in High-Risk Prostate CA

ASCO: OK to Shorten Androgen Blockade in High-Risk Prostate CA

(HealthDay News) – For men with high-risk prostate cancer undergoing pelvic radiotherapy and hormone therapy, outcomes are similar with long- (36 months) or short- (18 months) duration androgen blockade therapy, according to a study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's annual Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, held from Feb. 14–16 in Orlando, FL.

During a median follow-up of 77 months, the researchers found that 22.9% and 23.8% of those in groups 1 and 2, respectively, had died (P=0.802), with an overall survival hazard ratio of 1.15 (P=0.398) and a cancer-specific survival hazard ratio of 1.13 (P=0.153). There was no significant difference between the groups in the five-year overall or disease-specific survival rates or in the 10-year overall or disease-specific survival rates. The biochemical, regional, and distant failures rates were not significantly different between the groups.

"Shorter-term hormone therapy could have a big impact on the lives of men with prostate cancer, reducing the quantity and intensity of its unpleasant side effects as well as treatment costs," Nabid said in a statement.

The study was funded by AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of bicalutamide and goserelin.